Housing Information for Law Students
Boston is a city of students—roughly 100 colleges and universities can be found within the city limits, representing over 250,000 students! And this means that the rental market is tailored to meet students’ needs.
Most of our students choose to live in non-University-affiliated housing in neighborhoods located close to the Law Complex. The University e-zine, BU Today, publishes an ongoing series of profiles about nearby neighborhoods that may help you to explore the local area and pick the perfect spot for you.
Students who are here with their families can use the services provided by the Boston University Family Resources Office. Their mission is to help students with families create a better work-life balance. Their website offers information on babysitting services, local schools, and early childhood learning centers.
Housing for graduate students is available through BU Housing.
The BU Off-Campus Services (25 Buick Street, 1st floor; 617-353-3523; e-mail: och@bu.edu) maintains an online list of off-campus apartments and rooms in the local area. Also, there are many local real estate agents in the Boston University area who cater to the student market.
What should I consider when choosing a Boston neighborhood to live in?
Make sure to consider:
- Price range: What is your budget? How much do apartments typically rent for in this area?
- Proximity to school: How much time are you willing to spend commuting to and from school each day? Where are the nearest bus and subway stops?
- Convenience: Are grocery and laundry facilities nearby?
- Safety: Do you feel comfortable in the area? During the day and at night? Is your building secure?
- Parking: Will it be difficult to find parking? Is overnight parking allowed on the streets or will you have to pay extra to reserve a spot?
- Atmosphere: Are you looking for a quiet residential setting? Or do you want to live somewhere with many shops, restaurants, bars, etc. close by?
What does rent include?
Most apartments in the Boston area are unfurnished, some without appliances and air conditioning. Utilities aren’t always included in the rent, so actual costs of housing might be higher than you expect. In addition to a renter’s fee, expect to pay first month’s rent, last month’s rent, and even a security deposit.
When should I start to search for housing?
Plan to look for an apartment at least one month before you want to move in. Apartment hunting can be very time-consuming. Temporary accommodations like hotels need to be made in advance, especially in the summer months.